LETTER IX.

EDINBURGH, April.

My DEAR SISTER:—­

Mr. S. and C——­ returned from their trip to Glasgow much delighted with the prospects indicated by the results of the temperance meetings they attended there.

They were present at the meeting of the Scottish Temperance League, in an audience of about four thousand people.  The reports were encouraging, and the feeling enthusiastic.  One hundred and eighty ministers are on the list of the League, forming a nucleus of able, talented, and determined operators.  It is the intention to make a movement for a law which shall secure to Scotland some of the benefits of the Maine law.

It appears to me that on the questions of temperance and antislavery, the religious communities of the two countries are in a situation mutually to benefit each other.  Our church and ministry have been through a long struggle and warfare on this temperance question, in which a very valuable experience has been, elaborated.  The religious people of Great Britain, on the contrary, have led on to a successful result a great antislavery experiment, wherein their experience and success can be equally beneficial and encouraging to us.

The day after we returned from Melrose we spent in resting and riding about, as we had two engagements in the evening—­one at a party at the house of Mr. Douglas, of Cavers, and the other at a public temperance soiree.  Mr. Douglas is the author of several works which have excited attention; but perhaps you will remember him best by his treatise on the Advancement of Society in Religion and Knowledge.  He is what is called here a “laird,” a man of good family, a large landed proprietor, a zealous reformer, and a very devout man.

We went early to spend a short time with the family.  I was a little surprised, as I entered the hall, to find myself in the midst of a large circle of well-dressed men and women, who stood apparently waiting to receive us, and who bowed, courtesied, and smiled as we came in.  Mrs. D. apologized to me afterwards, saying that these were the servants of the family, that they were exceedingly anxious to see me, and so she had allowed them all to come into the hall.  They were so respectable in their appearance, and so neatly dressed, that I might almost have mistaken them for visitors.

We had a very pleasant hour or two with the family, which I enjoyed exceedingly.  Mr. and Mrs. Douglas were full of the most considerate kindness, and some of the daughters had intimate acquaintances in America.  I enjoy these little glimpses into family circles more than any thing else; there is no warmth like fireside warmth.

In the evening the rooms were filled.  I should think all the clergymen of Edinburgh must have been there, for I was introduced to ministers without number.  The Scotch have a good many little ways that are like ours; they call their clergy ministers, as we do.  There were many persons from ancient families, distinguished in Scottish history both for rank and piety; among others, Lady Carstairs, Sir Henry Moncrief and lady.  There was also the Countess of Gainsborough, one of the ladies of the queen’s household, a very beautiful woman with charming manners, reminding one of the line of Pope—­